(as) clear as crystal
Easily visible or understandable. I want the language in these legal contracts to be as clear as crystal so that there is no confusion. The sign is right there on the door—it's as clear as crystal. These directions are as clear as crystal, so you shouldn't have any questions.
a crystal set
A now-outdated type of radio. The "crystal" in the name refers to a "crystal detector," one of the component parts. My grandparents talk about how they spent many a night huddled around the crystal set—whatever that is. A: "What's this thing?" B: "Sonny, that's a crystal set. You've never seen one of those before?" I mean, it's sweet that Grandma left me her crystal set, but what am I supposed to do with it?
be as clear as crystal
To be easily visible or understandable. I want the language in these legal contracts to be as clear as crystal so that there is no confusion. The sign is right there on the door—it's as clear as crystal. These directions are as clear as crystal, so you shouldn't have any questions.
be crystal clear
1. Of a thing or image, to be strikingly clear or clean. The picture on this new high-definition TV is crystal clear! The skies at the top of the mountain were just crystal clear. Wow, those photos are crystal clear! What kind of camera do you have?
2. Of information or communication, to be very easy to understand and not vague or ambiguous. A: "You have to drop this package off by 5 PM sharp, or it won't get delivered. Is that clear?" B: "Yep, it's crystal clear." A good lecturer is crystal-clear in class, but a great one makes the lessons engaging too. I want the language in these legal contracts to be crystal clear so that there is no confusion.
crystal
slang A stimulant drug in powdered form, often methamphetamine. Where can we score some crystal around here? I always do a little crystal before I head into the club. It always makes the party more exciting! The young woman had so much crystal in her system that her heart just gave out.
crystal ball
1. A glass or crystal orb used by fortune-tellers and mystics in popular culture to see into the future. The soothsayer, peering into her crystal ball, foretold that I would come to possess a great fortune by the year's end. Even if a fortune-teller gazed into her crystal ball, I don't think I would believe the predictions she gave me. It was so eerie—all of the color drained from the mystic's face as soon as she looked into her crystal ball.
2. By extension, any figurative means of predicting future events. She must have some kind of crystal ball for the economy, because every business decision she's made has been timed perfectly to market fluctuations. Well, Mike, what does your crystal ball say about the team's chances in the playoffs? The renowned analyst is predicting a massive economic downturn. She must be gazing into her crystal ball or something.
crystal clear
1. Of a thing or image, strikingly clear or clean. Sometimes hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun. The picture on this new high-definition TV is crystal clear! The crystal-clear skies at the top of the mountain afforded a spectacular view of the whole state down below. Wow, those photos are crystal clear! What kind of camera do you have?
2. Of information or communication, very easy to understand; not vague or ambiguous. Sometimes hyphenated when used as a modifier before a noun. A: "You have to drop this package off by 5 PM sharp, or it won't get delivered. Is that clear?" B: "Crystal clear." A good lecturer provides crystal-clear lessons in class, but a great one makes them engaging. I want the language in these legal contracts to be crystal clear so that there is no confusion.
gaze into a/(one's) crystal ball
To predict future events. A reference to the cliché of fortune-tellers and mystics using a glass or crystal orb to see into the future. The renowned analyst is predicting a massive economic downturn. She must be gazing into her crystal ball or something. It's not like we can gaze into a crystal ball and anticipate how the market will react, so we just have to hope for the best. I wish I could just gaze into a crystal ball and know how the team will fare in the playoffs before I get too invested.
let me make myself crystal clear
I will speak sternly and put my thoughts into clear, unambiguous terms, so as to ensure you understand exactly what I mean. Let me make myself crystal clear—you are to do whatever I say, no questions asked. That's how an assistant earns their paycheck, understand? A: "Let me make myself crystal clear. You have to drop the package off by 5 PM sharp so that it will get delivered tomorrow—and it absolutely must get delivered tomorrow. Got it?" B: "Yes, sir."
look into (one's) crystal ball
To predict future events. A reference to the cliché of the glass or crystal orb used by fortune-tellers and mystics in popular culture to see into the future. Looking into her crystal ball, the renowned analyst predicts a massive economic downturn on the horizon.
make (oneself) crystal clear
To put one's thoughts into clear, unambiguous terms, so as to ensure the listener understands exactly what one means. A: "I'm going to make myself crystal clear. You have to drop the package off by 5 PM sharp so that it will get delivered tomorrow—and it must get delivered tomorrow. Got it?" B: "Yes, sir." You don't seem to be getting it, so I'll make myself crystal clear—you are to do whatever I say, no questions asked. That's how an assistant earns their paycheck, understand?
make (something) crystal clear
To make something very easy to understand by putting it into clear, unambiguous terms. A: "I'm going to make this crystal clear. You have to drop the package off by 5 PM sharp so that it will get delivered tomorrow—and it must get delivered tomorrow. Got it?" B: "Yes, sir." A great lecturer not only makes these abstract scientific concepts crystal clear but is also a very engaging speaker.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.